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Manchester in the early years of the War. Doris Marland nee Briggs recorded by Pamela Brown
I was 17 when the war broke out, living in Unsworth about 12 miles out of Manchester. I worked in the office of a small textile firm. I clearly remember the day after the big bombing of Manchester. Although we could see the red glow as the city burned I thought I ought to try to get in to work.

I managed to get a lift into town, and walking round the back of the cathedral the smell of burning was overpowering. Many of the gas mains were on fire. As I rounded the corner it was with relief that I thought my place of employment was all right, so it was a nasty shock to see, as I got nearer, that although the front door and walls were intact there was absolutely nothing behind. Everything — including the safe and records were destroyed.
Our boss was there and sent us home, asking us to return next day. Someone lent us an office and we all sat round trying to remember the names and addresses of customers. They were all written to asking for a copy of their accounts with us and ever one of them sent this so that we could get going again.

After Dunkirk the whole country was demoralised - everyone thought that Hitler, having got so far could easily get across the channel, there would be no stopping him. Every household was sent a small poster headed in big print ‘IF THE INVADER COMES’ There were instructions ( I can’t remember them all) but it was saying to take down street signs and not tell the enemy anything. It was very frightening, my mother put this up in the hall and I passed it everyday when I came down the stairs. Of course none of us knew it wouldn’t happen.

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